Rapidly progressive sarcomatoid malignant mesothelioma of the pleura mimicking pulmonary empyema

Clinical Case Reports 2015 October [Link]

Fujita K, Kim YH, Nakatani K, Mio T.

Abstract

Refractory empyema occasionally reflects hidden malignant disease. We presented a rare case of rapidly progressive malignant mesothelioma of the pleura (MPM) mimicking empyema. Physicians should be aware of MPM when patients with empyema are refractory to the standard treatment, and PET-CT may be helpful in establishing a precise diagnosis in such cases.